Packing apparatus



Feb. 21, 1961 Filed June 13, 1958 K. H. DANIELZIG ETAL PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 21, 1961 K. H. DANl ELZlG ETAL 2,972,215

PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 13, 1958 INVENLI'OR Feb. 21, 1961 K. H. DANlELZlG ETAL 2,972,215

PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 13, 1958 IN VENTOR KML I P Z A K. H. DANlEL'ZlG EI'AL PACKING APFARATUS Feb. 21, 1961 9 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed June 13, 1958 INVENTOR K. H. DANlELZlG EI'AL 2,972,215

PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR wan-a W Fw /n,

WW1 S.

Feb. 21, 1961 Filed June 13, 1958 Feb. 21, 1961 K. H. DANIELZIG ETAL PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 13, 1958 INV-EYNTOFP Feb. 21, 1961 K. H. DANIELZIG ErAL 2,9

PACKING APPARATUS Filed June 13, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 I F Fig. 75

INVEN TOR KM W Qua-N,

Feb. 21,196] K. H. DANIELZIG ETAL 2,9

PACKING APPARATUS Filed June 13, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOI-R 85,86 Kan-a P F Feb. 21, 1961 K. H. DANIELZIG ETAL 2,972,215

PACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 13, 1958 INVENTOR United States Patent PACKING APPARATUS Karl Heinz Danielzig, Darmstadt, and Gunter Neuendorf,

Darmstadt-Eberstadt, Germany; said Danielzig assignor to Firma Habra-Werk Wilhelm F. Ott, Darmstadt, Germany Filed June 13, 1958, Ser. No. 741,884

Claims priority, application Germany June 14, 1957 10 Claims. (Cl. 53-195) The present invention concerns an apparatus for packing material by folding a web of paper or the like coated with any synthetic material and drawn from a roller into dish-shaped containers.

The packings of the present invention are produced in form of a chain of packings which are cut apart.

According to the present invention a packing apparatus comprises supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first path; first folding means for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to the first path so that the second web is placed on the flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

Thus in accordance with the invention there is obtained an accurately operating machine, which at high operating speeds produces individual packings.

The flat dish-shaped packings produced by this machine replace cardboard packings having separate lids or when using internal linings of synthetic material also replace metal cans.

These packings may be used not only for packing frozen materials, such as fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, and substances which set when cooled such as for example coconut fat, but also fish preserves such as, for example sardines in oil or the like, or paste-like, demi solid and powdery filling materials, thus among other things dry pastry, creamed cheese, cheese, butter and so forth.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of a flat web after being cut to shape;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a U-shaped web section before folding over the side walls;

Fig. 3 is a further diagrammatic view of a completely folded dish-shaped open container;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a container closed by a cover sheet cemented thereon but with the corner regions not yet folded over;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a completed packing;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation to Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a machine for folding the web; a

2,972,215 Patented Feb. 21, 1951 Fig. 8 is a part elevation of Fig. 7 viewed in the direction of arrow A;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a part of the machine located at the right side of the machine shown in Fig. 1 and adapted to close and complete the packings;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention for producing the packings on a separate conveyor belt;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of an apparatus for completing the packings, which is directly adjacent and on the right of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation device for protecting the flanges of dish-shaped open containers at a filling station;

Fig. 13 is a partial plan view of a protective band used in the device of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of packings still attached to one another and having a ripping thread;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a packing with ripping thread ready for sale;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of apparatus for inserting the ripping thread;

Fig. 17 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the initial blank;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the first folding stage of a blank as shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of a folded container made of the blank shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic view of a packing with cover sheet closing the container of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic view of a filled and folded packing as shown in Fig. 20 after the first closure stages;

and

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of a completely folded packing as shown in Fig. 20.

A roll of a web of paper or the like is denoted by the numeral 1 (Fig. 7). The paper web is provided mainly on the upper surface thereof with a coating or a foil layer of thermoplastic material. Rollers 2 draw the paper web from the roll 1 and feed to a cutting station which consists of a supporting plate 3 and pairs of knives 4, 4a, which carry out cutting movements in a vertical direction. The paper web is held down over the supporting plate 3, for example, by means of the endless conveyor belt 5. In the cutting position I, H-shaped stampings and incisions are made in the web at regular intervals.

After being out to shape, the paper web arrives at a folding position II. In this position first U-shaped web section shown, and then open containers are formed by folding as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. For this purpose there are provided folding means joined in a chain-like manner, i.e. the lower mould 6, which in the direction of movement have at the front and the rear shaping jaws 7, 8. These shaping bodies are open on both outer sides. The paper web is forced into these folding means 6, 7, 8 by means of a ram 9. In order to prevent the paper web from being damaged when folded in a U-shaped manner, the front edge portion 10 of the ram 9 is resiliently mounted by way of bolts 11 and vertically adjustable between brackets 13, 13a of the pressing ram 9, by interposition of springs 12. The front portion 10 first presses the web down and then pulls it forwardly a corresponding distance, whereupon the non-resiliently mounted part of ram 9 follows the movement. During this shaping, lateral folding members 14, 14a (Fig. 8), which are connected to the chain members 6, are swung vertically upwards whereby simultaneously folded corner panels 16 (Fig. 3) and side walls 17 of the packings are folded upwardly. The folding members 14, 14a are so dimensioned that the upper edge is spaced corresponding to the thickness of paper from the outwardly stepped upper shoulder 9a of ram9 so that laterally projecting longitudinal flanges 18 are made which are located in the plane of the web sections connecting walls 17 of adjacent containers. When using thermoplastically. coated paper, heating devices seal the corner panels together, so that there iscreated a dish-shaped container completely sealed on all sides. After completing the chainlike linked containers they arrive at a holding down device 19 at a filling section III. Here they are filled with the material to be packed, whereupon by way of a holding down device, for example, by a ram 2%} the material is levelled from above. Subsequent to this the filled containers arrive at a cooling zone (not shown).

The Web of material is continuously fed and the matrix chain 6 is advanced progressively in synchronism with operations of the cutting, folding and stop devices. The respective control devices are of a kind known per se and not shown in the drawing. It is possible, for example, for the stamping or cutting knives, and the rams to be moved up and down by means of pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical means under control of cam discs. This control is efiected positively in synchronism with the driving wheels connected in series with the matrix chain.

When the filling material has set in the individual open containers a continuous cover web 22 is unwound from a roller 21 and fed, for example, underneath an endless conveyor belt acting as a holding down device. In the sealing position IV, a ram 24 is pressed thereon which is provided with a sealing shoulder 25 extending therearound corresponding to flanges of the packing, which shoulder is heated inknown manner and when applied to the npper cover web forms a seal on all fouredges with the flanges 1S and the connecting web sections. The heating jaws in certain circumstances may be replaced by a high frequency heating arrangement, to be followed by cooling rollers or the like, in order to obtain a better connection at the sealing points by cooling under pressure.

After being sealed. the packings leave the matrix chain 6 and are transferred to a guide track 26.

In the next position V the projecting edges are cut off by means of a punch 27 and by means of lateral folding flaps 28 the triangular sealed corner panels 16 are flattened against the packing body. By means of the same tool 27 the flanges of the packing are also bent downwardly. The perforated belt 29 is drawn off progressively by rollers 30 and by this means the packings are simultaneously drawn out from the punch 27. On an inclined track 31 the completed packing 32 leaves the machine and slides into a collecting container.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 10, the paper web 1a arrives, after leaving the cutting position l with a punch or cutting knife, at a folding position II in'which it is folded in a continuous operation into the shape of adish open at the top.

The lower folding means are linked together, andv consist also of a base plate 6, a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8, which together with the base plate 6 extends to the hinge 6a of the chain. Into this. folding means 6, 7, 8 the paper webis pressed by means of a press ram 9 in the afore described manner. The side walls are formed by means of hingedly' mounted lateral folding members 14, 14a.

The chain with the. shaping elements 6, 7, 8 which is lead over two guide wheels 40, 41 is followed by a chute 42. conveyor belt or the like adapted to transport the preshaped series dishes P by a further endless conveyor belt, which is shown in detail in Fig 11. Within the region of the slide track 42 or the like there is the filling station, behind which there may be provided drying or cooling zones (not shown). I

As shown by .Fig. 11, the second endless chain comprises the two guide wheels 43, 44 and each-chain-lin'k includes a base plate 45 with a chain hinge 46. These links are each fitted above the hinge 46 of the chain with a shaping plate 47, which at either end extends only partly over the width of the base plate 45. The open containers, filled in the meantime, are sealed in this position IV.

A cover paper web 22 fed from a roller 21 is lead underneath a guide roller 23 and passed over filled containers, whereupon by ram 24, which may be fitted with a sealing ledge or the like, the paper cover web 22 placed thereon is connected at the edges thereof with the edges projecting beyond the open containers.

In the next position V the row of packings P diverted from the chainv 43-47 by way of a slide track which are sealed and closed on top by means of the continuous cover sheet 22, are completed. This 'posit'ion'substantially comprises a lower punch 52 which. cooperates with an upper punch 53. By' means of these punches the flanges projecting on all sides are trimmed and folded over downwards, whereupon the packing 32 leaves the machine on a chute 31.

In order to retain the sealing and cementing surfaces perfectly clean when the containers are filled with the materials to be packed, protective bands as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 are used. The links of the shaping chain which are fitted with lateral shaping plates 14 are denoted by the numeral 6. Within the hollow spaces formed by the shaping elements there are the folded open containers P, whose top edges project horizontally on all sides corresponding to its longitudinal flanges and con necting web portions. The paper of these packings is coated inside with a layer of hot-scalable synthetic material.

In the region of the filling station there is provided an endless moving protective band which at both ends is lead upwards over guide rollers 141. The numeral 142 denotes a washing chamber and the numeral 143 a drying chamber. The protective band is provided on the upper surface with cut-outs 144 which are'somewhat smaller than the area of the top openingof the open containers. During the filling of the material, the flanges of the container around cutouts 144 of the band 140 are covered by portions of band 140 depending upon the consistency of the material, for preventing .t e substances filled into the containers from getting on the cementing or sealing surfaces of the flanges respectively of the dishshaped containers. The cover web 22 is then applied to the clean flanges of the containers, as explained above.

After the fillingoperation, the cover band is conveyed upwardly into the washing chamber where. the band is cleaned by means of nozzles 145 whereupon the band 140 passes through a drying chamber 143 and is returned to the upper surface of the chain 4, 14. One .of the roll ers, .141 is a driving roller by means of which the band 140is advanced at a speed corresponding to the speed of the chain 6, 14.

The heating jaws, shown in the drawings for welding the corner flaps and cover sheet, may also be replaced by means of known high frequency heating methods.

In order to allow the completed and filled packing sealed with the cover sheet to be readily opened it is possible to provide a ripping thread secured by sealing and extending for example, diagonally beneath the cover sheet in the edges to be connected with one another.

Figs. 14 and 15 show packings. The rip thread69 is fused in diagonally over the filling area into the edges 18. The individual finished packings, in addition to the end 61 of the thread secured in the edge 18, are provided with indentations 62 in order to allow the end 61 of the thread to be gripped after tearing the edge.

The insertion of zig-zag. rip threads (Figvl4) is effected when the containers are still open and connected before attachment of the cover sheet, and by theapparatus shown in Fig. 16.

A pivoted lever 63, to the free end: 64 of which, a thread 60 unwound from a bobbin (not shown): is threaded, has at 65 a pivot and is rocked by a lever 66.

The lever 66 is pivotally mounted at 67 on a supporting arm 68. Its longer arm is linked with the pivoted lever 63 by a slot and pin connection 69. The other end is in contact with a cam disc 71 through a roller 70, the drive of the cam disc being effected by a pulley 72' and driving belt 73 from the drive shaft 74.

The corner fold to form the upper horizontally projecting edges 81, 82, 83 is effected as shown in Figs. 17-22 in the manner that during the bending of the side walls 84, the two corner panels 85, 86 are so placed one upon the other with the outer folding edge that the corners formed hereby form an extension of the side walls 84. This edge 83 is directly adjoined by the edge 88 and over this edge there is placed the upper edge 81 with interposition of a small corner fold 89. The small corner panel 89 is formed by the folding line 90 which extends from the lateral border 91 of the side wall to beyond the edge 81, as shown in Fig. 18.

It is assumed that in Fig. 17 the upper surface of the web and hence the inner surface of the packing is provided with a thermoplastic layer. During heat-sealing the corner panels 85, 86 and the upper edges 83, 88 and 81, the heat-scalable layers contact each other face to face at the bent over edge in the region of the small edge panels 89 so that, when a cover sheet 22 is applied the underside of which is provided with a heat-scalable layer, the entire upper edge is sealed all around along the whole circumference by fusing contacting heat-scalable layers.

If a filled packing, as described above, has been sealed at the edges on all sides with the cover sheet 22, then in a further operation the projecting edges 83 with the lateral extension of the packing edges 81 are folded over downwardly whereupon the edges 81 and 82, after folding at the corners, are folded over downwardly, together with the corner flaps 85 and 86, as shown in Fig. 22. The edges 81 and 82 are thus folded over in the shape of triangles.

Such corner folding is possible if a rectangular cutout 80 is formed between the individual blanks (see Fig. 17).

In place of the chain-like connected folding means 6, 7, 8 it is also possible and within the scope of the invention to provide separate folding elements, i.e. to place them on slide chutes. To reduce the friction it is convenient to place shaping molds on the slide tracks by way of rollers or the like.

What we claim is:

1. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first path; first folding means for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U- shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

2. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first path; first folding means including a ram, and a folding means respectively located above and below the web, said folding means receiving said ram for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means including movable folding members located on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner-panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

3. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, sup ply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first path; first folding means including a ram having a down: wardly projecting transversely extending resiliently mounted front edge member, and a folding means respectively located above and below the web', said folding means receiving said ram for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web section having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means including movable folding members located on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cut ting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

4. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first path; first folding means including a folding means, and a ram received by said folding means and having a shoulder extending around it for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means including movable folding members located on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and for folding together with said shoulder of said ram laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting Web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

open on the sides, said ram and U-shaped'folding means cooperating for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means including folding members' pivotally connected to said molding means and being located on opposite sides of said first path for foldinglongitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web alonga second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

6. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first horizontal path; first folding means including a ram reciprocable in vertical direction and located above said transporting means and'above the web, a series of folding means, conveyor means conveying said series of folding means to place said folding means successively in a position located opposite said ram so as to receive said ram for folding transverse folds into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having front and rear walls and connected to each other by connecting web sections; second folding means including movable folding members located on opposite sides of said first path for folding longitudinal folds into the U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls, superimposed folded corner panels, and laterally-projecting longitudinal flanges in the web located in the same plane as the connecting web sections; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse outing lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

7. Packing apparatus comprising, in combination, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means for transporting the web along a first horizontal path; first folding means including a ram reciprocable in vertical direction and located above said transporting means and the web, said ram having a projecting shoulder extending around the same, a series of U- shaped folding means each having a leading front wall a trailing rear wall and a bottom wall, conveyor means for conveying said series of U-shaped folding means to place said U-shaped folding means successively in a position located opposite said ram so that when said ram is received in the respective folding means, transverse folds are folded into the web for forming U-shaped web sections having leading front and trailing rear walls connected to each other by bottom walls and by connecting web sections extending between trailing rear walls and leading front walls; second folding means including folding members located on opposite sides of said first path and being movable to a position forming the side walls of said molding means for folding longitudinal folds into said U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls and superimposed folded corner panels in the web, the

topedges of said folding members cooperating with said shoulder of said ram to form laterally-projecting flanges in the web located in'the same horizontal plane as said connecting web portions; means for supplying a continuous second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting, web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including heating means for effecting sealing of the corner panels and cooperating with said second folding means.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sealing means includes heating means for heat sealing said second web to said flanges and connecting sections.

10. Packing apparatus comprising, supply means for supplying a continuous web; first transporting means-for transporting the web along a first horizontal path; reciprocable cutter means movable to a position for cutting pairs of opposite cutouts into the longitudinal edges ofthe web; first folding means including a ram reciprocable in vertical direction and located above said transporting means and the web, said'ram having a projecting shoulder extending around the same, a series of U-shapedrfolding means having a leading front wall, a trailing rear wall and a' bottom wall, conveyor means for conveying said series of U-shaped folding means to place said U-shaped folding means successively in a position located opposite said ram so that when said'ram is received in the respective folding means, transverse folds are folded into the web for forming U- shap'ed web sections having leading front and trailing rear walls connected to each other by bottom walls and by connecting web sections extending between trailing rear walls and leading front walls, said connecting web sections extending transverselybetween said opposite cutouts; second folding means including folding members located on opposite sides of said first path and being movable to a position forming the side walls of said molding means for folding longitudinal folds into said U-shaped web sections so as to form lateral walls and superimposed folded corner panels in the web, the top edges of said folding members cooperating with said shoulder of said ram to form laterally-projecting flanges in the web located in the same horizontal plane as said connecting web portions; means for supplying a continuous' second web; second transporting means for moving the second web along a second path parallel to said first" path so that the second web is placed on said flanges and connecting web sections; sealing means for forming a seal between the second web, and the flanges and connecting web sections; and cutting means for cutting the connecting web sections and the second web along transverse cutting lines whereby separate sealed containers are formed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,425,335 Peterson Aug. 8,1922:

2,071,949 Reich Feb. 23, 1937 2,512,382 Ringler June 30, 1950v 2,530,306 Hand Nov. 14, 1950 FOREEGN PATENTS 59,149 Netherlands Mar. 1 5, 1947 162,544 Australia Apr. 16, 1953 in combination, 

